incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent
noun
incompetently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of incompetent in a Sentence
He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility.
The patient is mentally incompetent.
The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 'An incompetent circus': Michael Gableman's 2020 election review reaches 1 year and the $1 million mark with little to show, Jan. 16, 2023.
—
Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
The Irish were denigrated as lazy, as stupid, as incompetent.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
In the more than two years between Stroman’s arrest and the trial, his case was delayed when he was briefly found mentally incompetent to stand trial, but criminal proceedings resumed after his competency was deemed restored, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024
Changes to voting in nursing homes and rules for incompetent voters
Evers vetoed two bills that would have overhauled how residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities could cast ballots, and for voters who are determined to be incompetent.
—Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024
Some were put in conservatorships after they were found incompetent to stand trial and still weren’t well enough to stand trial after two years of treatment.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024
This system was in place where Osages who were declared incompetent had to have a white person — mostly a white male — handling their finances and granting them access to their money.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
But don’t come at me for being incompetent and clueless as a parent.
—Saul Austerlitz, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024
Typically, criminal defendants determined to be incompetent are sent for treatment by DCF, which operates six state psychiatric hospitals across the state, including South Florida State Hospital in Pembroke Pines.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
The Irish were denigrated as lazy, as stupid, as incompetent.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
In the more than two years between Stroman’s arrest and the trial, his case was delayed when he was briefly found mentally incompetent to stand trial, but criminal proceedings resumed after his competency was deemed restored, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024
Changes to voting in nursing homes and rules for incompetent voters
Evers vetoed two bills that would have overhauled how residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities could cast ballots, and for voters who are determined to be incompetent.
—Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024
Some were put in conservatorships after they were found incompetent to stand trial and still weren’t well enough to stand trial after two years of treatment.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024
This system was in place where Osages who were declared incompetent had to have a white person — mostly a white male — handling their finances and granting them access to their money.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
But don’t come at me for being incompetent and clueless as a parent.
—Saul Austerlitz, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024
Typically, criminal defendants determined to be incompetent are sent for treatment by DCF, which operates six state psychiatric hospitals across the state, including South Florida State Hospital in Pembroke Pines.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompetent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
especially
: incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
incompetently
adverb
Legal Definition
incompetent
1 of 2 adjective
in·com·pe·tent
in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
1
: not legally qualified: as
a
: lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency)
b
: incapable due to mental or physical condition compare competent
c
: lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law
an incompetent court
incompetent evidence
2
: unable or failing to perform adequately
fired for being incompetent
an incompetent attorney
compare ineffective assistance of counsel
incompetent
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is incompetent compare interdict
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